Your Last Chance to see a Favorite Band in Montana?

For 40 years, Reckless Kelly has been on stages all across the country, and spending as much off time as possible here in the Northern Rockies.

But that first part is coming to an end, as they wind down from touring. However, there is one more "scheduled" show for their Montana fans this weekend.

It's a celebration of their legendary music and career, yet also a "thank you" to the fans that made them one of the biggest acts in the Texas "red dirt" music scene, while equally being loved here in the Northwest.

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Willie Braun, along with his brother Cody, grew up in the Sawtooth Mountains, a third-generational music family that was Idaho favorites for years. But the boys struck out for Oregon, where a chance meeting with drummer Jay Nazz formed the core of a band that would relocate to Austin in the 1990s.

“The Austin-based band were americana before there really was such a term, combining roots, rock and country influences into an uncompromising musical approach that has earned the grammy-winning group a very steadfast and loyal following.” – A Taste Of Country

Fans were surprised by this announcement

The band made headlines last year when they announced it was time to stop touring, ending a grueling schedule of playing 150 to 200 shows per year.

"The industry has changed a lot since we started," Willie told me last week. "It's been a challenge to keep up with everything that's going on with the recording industry. (There's) a lot of different competition out there and people's attention spans are shorter and we're getting old."

"We still really like playing music together and making records. And so we're just gonna try to be a little more strategic about it."

This has been a memorable year of playing familiar venues and "bucket list" stops, such as a show with the Turnpike Troubadours at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.

"Red Rocks was amazing," Willie recalls. "Opening up for Turnpike, I wasn't really expecting our crowd to be there, but it really surprised us when we went on the first band of three bands that night and everybody was there early and they all knew our songs and they were all standing up and singing along. You know, to have that happen in a place like Red Rocks is really, really cool. Like it was it was kind of a shock to me."

Genuine, honest music

Willie and Cody, and younger brothers Micky & Gary who play in Mickey & the Motorcars, have had such an impact in the country and Americana scene because they like authenticity. And so do their fans.

"It's nice to look back at our 16 or 17 records or whatever we've done and we're all still proud of those records and proud of the shows that we put on. And you know we've built up a really great loyal fan base. It's a lot of great little accomplishments," Wille reflects.

And their collaborations with other artists, and inviting people like Steve Earle, Charley Crockett, and others to join them at the "Braun Brothers Reunion", which just celebrated its 40th anniversary in Challis this month, is a big part of that legacy.

"The people in this genre really are pretty passionate about the music, the fans and the bands. I think they appreciate our dedication to making good, honest music, and we appreciate the fact that they like it. So it's a full circle." -Wille Braun, Reckless Kelly

Keeping it going during COVID

Willie gained a lot of additional attention with his "Music in the Mountains" videos he published to YouTube when Reckless Kelly couldn't tour during the pandemic. Those morphed into clips on cooking and just enjoying the beauty we have in the Northern Rockies.

"I love living out here and I try to do as much hiking and backpacking, fishing and just driving dirt roads and just enjoying the landscape out here. Trying to take advantage of all the things that has to offer while I'm still relatively young enough to climb mountains and stuff."

When is the new Reckless Kelly album coming out

The Braun Brothers are committed to keeping the BBR going, and making appearances at Steamboat and other festivals, as well as recording more new music, just at an easier pace.

The band's latest album, "The Last Frontier", drops on September 13th, with three singles already getting online play. That includes "Keep Lookin' Down the Road", with a music video where Willie drives his truck across dirt roads in the lonely valleys around Mount Borah.

He says the song wasn't intentionally written with the band's changes but admits it does fit.

"You never know what's coming down the pipe and just kind of the sentiment of the song is, you know, keep your chin up and good things are coming our way."

Is this the Braun Brothers' last show in Montana?

That attitude of "good things coming our way", applies to Reckless Kelly's "last show" this weekend at the Cafe 191 in Melville, a beautiful setting near the Crazy Mountains next to Big Timber. The show is Saturday night, with the venue opening at 6:30.

Willie says it's a chance to say "thanks" to Reckless Kelly's Montana fans, but also to celebrate more music and mountains. He told me he has a few favorite camping spots in the area, so don't be surprised if you run into one hell of a musician and a cook if you're out there this weekend.